The Effects of Antifreeze on Grass

Antifreeze can kill lawns when spilled onto grass.

Antifreeze, also known as coolant, is commonly used in most vehicles to keep parts of the engine from freezing or overheating. The main ingredient in most antifreeze products is a potent viscous, colorless liquid called ethylene glycol, although other contaminants can also be harmful. If antifreeze leaks out of engines or storage containers or spills on grass, it is often toxic and can hinder lawn and plant growth or kill plants outright.

Antifreeze

At one time, antifreeze was always a bright yellow or green color, although manufacturers now use a variety of hues. Color use isn't standardized and is up to each manufacturer, but it was originally intended as a safety measure to discourage accidental ingestion and make it easier to see spills. Antifreeze also tends to have a slightly sweet odor to it, which is another way to identify it when spilled on yards and grass.

Toxic to Grass

If antifreeze is spilled on grass, it can kill it, which is one reason homeowners are encouraged to take precautions to avoid spills and leaks. Lawns aren't the only plants affected by ethylene glycol, however; a study in the "International Journal of Phytoremediation" in 2011 found that poplar trees grown in soil or groundwater contaminated with ethylene glycol had up to 80 percent reduced growth. Used antifreeze also contains contaminants such as lead and benzene, all of which can cause further environmental problems to plants and water.

Alternatives

A new class of antifreeze products contains propylene glycol, which is a similar chemical but less toxic to the environment. However, used propylene glycol antifreeze has the same problem as other types, containing dangerous heavy-metal contaminants. For antifreeze spills on driveways or grass, use absorbent pads, socks or berms, and dispose of the soiled materials according to your local hazardous waste guidelines. Never wash antifreeze away with a hose and never pour used antifreeze down the drain or in the street.

Considerations

Antifreeze isn't just harmful to plants, it's also poisonous to humans and animals. Ethylene glycol can damage heart, kidneys and brain, and propylene glycol can affect the central nervous system. When cleaning antifreeze spills, wear gloves to prevent skin absorption and a mask to keep from inhaling fumes. Be careful to keep pets away from the spill, since every year 10,000 cats and dogs are poisoned by ingesting antifreeze, according to the EET Corporation.

About the Author

Bonnie Singleton has been writing professionally since 1996. She has written for various newspapers and magazines including "The Washington Times" and "Woman's World." She also wrote for the BBC-TV news magazine "From Washington" and worked for Discovery Channel online for more than a decade. Singleton holds a master's degree in musicology from Florida State University and is a member of the American Independent Writers.